TAMIU Killam Library Event
Advancing Children’s Literacy

Let your child explore his or her imagination at Texas A&M International University’s Sue and Radliffe Killam Library-hosted “Read, Imagine and Create” Tuesday, April 14, Thursday, April 16 and Saturday, April 18.

All events are free and open to the public and held at the Killam Library Great Room, third floor.

“The Killam Library will offer a community outreach program to advance children’s literacy. It kicks off with ‘The Writer-Reader Connections: A Talk with Award-Winning Young Adult Novelist Clare B. Dunkle,’ on Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m.,” said Rodney Webb, director, Killam Library.

Dunkle is a nationally recognized fiction writer for young adults (middle school to early high school ages). She will share her passion about books and reading and talk about the aspects of being a writer, where she gets her ideas and other aspects of creative writing.

A former librarian, Dunkle has written seven books, including “The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy.” She earned her B.A. in Russian from Trinity University in San Antonio and a master’s in library science from Indiana University.

“The three-day program also includes readings to children from Pre-K to second grade and children from third – sixth grade followed by a creative art session in which they will produce some artwork to interpret the reading they heard. Readings will be in English and Spanish,” added Webb.

TAMIU students enrolled in children’s literature and multi-cultural children’s literature courses and other University employees will read to children.

Webb mentioned that there will also be mini-workshops for parents with tips they can use in helping their children improve reading skills and increase their desire to read. Juanita Lira, a well-known Laredo educator, and Dr. Miroslava Vargas, TAMIU associate professor, bilingual education, will present the mini-workshops in Spanish and English.

The rest of the program schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 16

9:30 a.m., “Primary Level Readings” (Pre-K through second grade): University students and employees will read to children from local and area schools.

10 a.m., snack break

10:15 a.m., “Creative Response” : Children will produce art work in response to the story time sessions in order to extend their understanding and appreciation of the material read. Art supplies will be provided.

6 p.m., “Intermediate Level Readings” (grades third – sixth): University students enrolled in primary children’s literature and multi-cultural children’s literature courses and University employees will read to children from local area schools.

6 p.m., “Reading Tips for Parents”: Lira and Dr. Vargas will share their expertise and experience in a mini-workshop for parents to help them become more effectively involved in their children’s reading.

6:30 p.m., “Creativity Response”: Children will produce artwork in response to the story time sessions in order to extend their understanding and appreciation of the material read. Art supplies will be provided.

Saturday, April 18

10 a.m., “Primary Level Readings” (Pre-K through second grade): University students and employees will read to children from local and area schools.

10 a.m., “Reading Tips for Parents”: Lira and Dr. Vargas will share their expertise and experience in a mini-workshop for parents to help them become more effectively involved in their children’s reading.

10:30 a.m., snack break

10:45 a.m., “Creative Response”: Children will produce artwork in response to the story time sessions in order to extend their understanding and appreciation of the material read. Art supplies will be provided.

This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Community Outreach Program of the Killam Library is dedicated to promoting the resources of the Killam Library to the Laredo public and to fostering literacy in our community.